The comparative economic value of bear viewing and bear hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study is the first to compare the economic value of bear viewing and trophy hunting of both grizzly (Ursus arctos) and black bears (Ursus americanus) in the Great Bear Rainforest (GBR) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. We assess trends in these two sectors of wildlife recreation over several decades and analyse their economic impacts based on 2012 data. We examine both non-resident bear hunting with guide outfitters and independent local (resident) hunters, as well as bear viewing offered by tourism companies in the GBR. We provide strong evidence that bear viewing in the GBR is generating far more economic value: bear-viewing companies generated over 12 times more in visitor spending than guided non-resident and independent resident hunters combined ($15.1 million versus $1.2 million) and 11 times more in government revenues ($7.3 million versus $660,5001). Such findings should be useful to policy-makers in determining allocations of public resources and priorities for conservation efforts. In our assessment, if bear viewing expands at its current rate, the economy of the GBR will experience few negative impacts from a ban on bear hunting.